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How To Improve Your Riding Skills

If you want to be a good horseback rider, you need to practice a lot. It’s never too late to start improving your skills in the saddle, so start these three habits to become a better rider.

Practice Jumping

Jumping uses a completely different set of skills than other riding disciplines. It is a great way to improve your balance in the saddle and helps you learn to communicate with your mount. Set up a few schooling horse jumps in your arena to learn how to keep your seat while riding over jumps and start developing the skills associated with jumping.

Work On Your Endurance

While you may not think horseback riding is a strenuous sport, it can take a lot out of you if you aren’t comfortable in the saddle. You have to build up your endurance in the saddle if you want to be a good rider. Start by going for trail rides and increasing the length of your travels. You will likely need to take several breaks at first, but soon you should be able to ride all day with few breaks. The more time you spend in the saddle, the more comfortable you will be.

Spend Time With Your Mount

Knowing your horse will make you a better rider. Every horse has its own personality and habits, so spending quality time with your mount is a great way to learn to anticipate how your horse will act in various situations. Take time exercising your mount every day and groom him or her frequently. By spending time with your horse, you’ll learn how to best communicate with him or her while you’re in the saddle.

Regardless of how long you have been riding, you can always improve your skills. Start incorporating these three habits into your routine to build upon your riding skills.

The Best Working Dog Breeds for Families

Dogs can be more than man’s best friend. Many dogs have been bred to help their human owners perform certain tasks and are known today as working dogs. From security and rescue work to herding and livestock protection, working dog breeds can make a great pet for the right family. Here are some of the top working dog breeds to consider.

Great Pyrenees

Also known as Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, these gentle giants have long white fur. They are intelligent, loyal, and courageous, making them a great addition to any family. Used as to guard livestock or as goat herding dogs, the Great Pyrenees will bond with the animals, creating a lifelong protective relationship.

Husky

A general term for three different breeds, Huskies are cold-weather working dogs. Eskimo and Siberian Huskies have incredible speed and stamina, helping them carry large loads over many miles. Alaskan Malamutes are larger than their Husky cousins. They are incredibly loyal dogs that enjoy working in teams, so consider getting more than one for your family.

German Shepherd

The quintessential police dog, German Shepards are protectors. They are not aggressive, though the work they do has characterized them as attack dogs. German Shepards are highly intelligent and trainable but require constant stimulation to be content. They are a great guardian and companion if you are willing to put in the hours training them.

Golden Retriever

Not officially categorized as a working dog, Golden Retrievers can be trained for many jobs. They commonly perform service dog duties, but also help with search-and-rescue and security tasks. Highly intelligent and energetic, Golden Retrievers love unconditionally, making them great for families.

Working dogs can take more effort than other dog breeds. Not every home is the ideal environment for these dogs. However, they can make a loving and loyal addition to the right family.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Family

Whether you have recently moved or are just looking for a dental home, there are several things to consider when choosing a family dentist Kansas City MO. You want to be comfortable with any medical provider that you choose, and it is essential to do your research before making a final decision. Consider these three things for choosing the right dentist for your family.

Location

You should ideally be visiting your dentist at least twice yearly, so you want to choose a location that is convenient for you. You should look for something close to work and home, but you should also consider quality of dental care. It could be worth it to drive a little bit for your appointments, though you do not want them too for away.

Appointment Availability

You never know when a dental emergency could arise, so it is important that you are able to get appointments when you need them most. Some clinics may even offer after-hours appointments to make things more convenient, so always ask if these are available. Always consider what your family’s schedule is like and how that will translate into appointment availability.

Age Ranges Accepted

If you are looking for a provider that your whole family can use, it is important that you ask what age ranges are accepted. Some dentists specialize in adult care, while others gear a practice towards pediatric care. You need to find out if your chosen dentist is comfortable treatment children, teens and adults. When you find a dentist that the whole family can use, you can look forward to a lasting, trusting relationship through the years.

When you do the right amount of research before choosing your family’s dentist, you can feel good about your decision. Start looking today for a place that you can call your dental home.

How To Plan The Perfect Corporate Event

Being tasked with planning your company’s next event can be the ideal time to shine; however, it can also present a lot of anxiety and worry if you aren’t sure where to start. If you are inexperienced in party planning, you don’t need to panic. While executing an event that will impress can be a lot of pressure, here are a few tips to help you pull off the perfect corporate event for your team.

Hire the Professionals

If you have the ability to do so, consider hiring party planners Richmond VA who can help you bring your vision to fruition. Not only can they give you professional advice, but they are likely to also have additional relationships with vendors which can leave you with a seamless planning process.

Set or Determine a Budget

Your budget will be another key factor as you begin making decisions. Whether you are determining the budget yourself or you have one set for you, this is critical information that you will need at each juncture.

Determine the Theme

A theme for the event will be an influential factor as you planning. This can help determine what activities should take place, what cuisine best suits the atmosphere, whether alcohol should be served or not and the type of entertainment that you will employ. Because this will inform many of your decisions, you may want to run the theme by your manager to ensure this aligns with the company’s vision.

Utilize a Checklist

For someone inexperienced with party planning, using an event planning checklist can help you keep track of everything. Not only will this be a useful resource to manage your progress but it also can ensure that you don’t miss anything. While you will need to tailor this to your particular event, these resources can help give you a bird’s eye view of a normal planning process.

Planning corporate events can be stressful if you haven’t done it before. If you want to get it right and impress your managers, use these tips and you will be sure to plan the perfect event.

How to Avoid Germs in Public Places

Do you want to know what’s really disgusting? Everything. Germs are everywhere, lurking on almost everything that we touch. Some of the germiest places on earth are places that you regularly frequent. Learning how to protect yourself against contaminated surfaces may be your best defense to staying well.

Public Bathrooms

You may be meticulous about covering a public toilet seat with toilet paper, but it turns out that there are bigger germ-harboring culprits in a bathroom. The stall door and the faucet handles are great places for E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria to thrive. To keep your hands away from these surfaces, use a paper towel or a grab hook with rubber tip to open and close doors or turn faucets off and on. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and then don’t touch anything else once they are clean.

Restaurants

Undercooked or raw foods can cause food poisoning from Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter bacteria. Couple that with a server who didn’t observe the “employees must wash hands” sign in the bathroom before carrying your plate to the table. Your best defense is to order food well-cooked and to observe employee behavior and general restaurant cleanliness. Do tables get cleaned with a cursory wipe or do employees strive to really sanitize between patrons? Chances are if high standards of cleanliness are company policy, your food will be okay.

Your Office

If your receptionist keeps a candy jar at her desk, that’s sweet, but avoid it at all costs. There is no telling what the last person touched before he put his hands into that bowl. Bacteria that cause common illness such as strep or the flu don’t need to linger too long on the surface of an individually wrapped peppermint if the guy with the runny nose grabs one right before you. It’s safest to keep your own stash of candy at your desk. If you must have a candy, sanitize your hands before and after unwrapping your Jolly Rancher.

There is no way to stay 100% germ free, but there are several ways to cut down on the instances of germ exposure. Keep your hands clean, or in your pockets and away from your face as much as possible.

Fishing for Arctic Grayling

The Arctic Grayling is the most amazing fish. One of Alaska’s smallest sport fish, the new a delight to catch and cook. You’ll definitely want to check out guided fishing trips Fairbanks AK as you prepare your fishing plans.

Meet the Arctic Grayling

Known for their sail-like dorsal fin, the Arctic grayling is affectionately known as “The sailfish of the salmon species”. It is abundant in many Alaskan rivers and streams. It is also native to parts of Canada, Montana, and northern Michigan. Their habit of rising and taking dry flys form the water surface make them a particularly coveted quarry.

This fish is slow-growing. It can live a long time, though. Some have lived for 30 years in the wild. The largest Arctic grayling on record was 30 inches long and weighed over 8 pounds. Any grayling over 3 pounds is considered a trophy.

When fishing for grayling, remember that it has a soft mouth. Most anglers use light tackle, barbless hooks, and try not to “horse” the fish in when engaged. Fishermen commonly use small spinners, lightweight jigs, and a variety of tied flys, not wet and dry. These fish are notorious ‘short-strikers” If you get a rise, be patient and keep fishing. Eventually, you may be able to coax them into a full strike.

Are Grayling Good To Eat?

Many first-time grayling anglers are surprised just how tasty grayling can be. Its firm white flesh is fabulous. Many grayling fishermen keep those 10 inches or longer and cook them streamside over a cooking fire. for a unique culinary experience. Simply scale and gut the fish and prepare in butter, salt, pepper, and lemon. It can be some of Alaska’s finest eating.

Enjoy your Alaskan fishing experience. Catching grayling in a quiet unspoiled natural setting can be the thrill of a lifetime.

3 Ways To Be Kind At Work

With the stress of work and personal life, a kind thought or nice gesture can be a refreshing moment to your day. Often, the work atmosphere can be busy and stress-filled, which is why kindness within the workplace can mean a lot to your coworkers. Sometimes, the smallest gesture can become a bonding moment that makes the day a little brighter. Not sure how to reach out? Here are three ways you can share some kindness in the workplace.

1. Be Friendly

One of the best ways of making friends is by saying hello. Get to know your coworkers by greeting them during the day and starting a conversation with them. As you get to know them, show support! Share some kindness thoughts to remind them that they are valued members of the team. Don’t hesitate to show them that you enjoy their presence and want to become friends. 

2. Give More Comments

Whether you are in a managerial position or simply part of the team, don’t hesitate to let people know when they are doing great work. Be authentic when congratulating them on their work, and look for more opportunities to remind coworkers that they are doing a great job. When advising or correcting, remind coworkers that they are trying their best and doing a great job. 

3. Bring Treats

Everyone needs a pick-me-up every once in a while. Consider bringing a snack before work to share with coworkers. This can bring a smile to their faces and give you another reason to bond with one another.

Being kind doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. The most important part is to have the desire to reach out to others. Although they may not always accept your kindness, you can keep trying and make friends in the process. Look for ways to reach out to your coworkers next time you go to work. 

How to Make Your Wedding Extra Special

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! No matter what type of ceremony and reception you and your partner are planning, you are sure to make some incredible memories on your wedding day. Read on for three ideas that will help to make your wedding incredible for you and your new spouse as well as your guests.

Learn a Routine for Your First Dance

Traditionally, when the dance floor opens at the start of a wedding reception, the newly married couple have it to themselves for the first dance. If you are planning to partake in this tradition, why not take advantage of the opportunity to put on a great show? A wedding dance choreographer Jacksonville FL can be a great resource for teaching you the steps to go with your chosen song. As an added bonus, taking lessons is a great way to bond with your partner.

Put Together a Bathroom Basket (or Two)

One effective way to show appreciation for your guests is to place baskets of helpful amenities in the restroom at your venue. These amenities can include travel-size mouthwash, Tylenol or Advil, bobby pins, hair ties and stain remover pens. Anyone who ends up spilling a drink or overindulging will be glad it’s there! If you have loved ones who are eager to help with wedding-related tasks, this is one that can easily be delegated to a member of the wedding party.

Create a Wedding Hashtag

In the age of social media, many of your guests are likely to snap photos with their smartphones and post them on social media. To ensure that you don’t miss out on any of these posts, encourage guests to use a specified hashtag in their post. This way, you can search platforms for the hashtag and see all of the photos in one place. This wedding hashtag generator is a good place to start.

Once again, congratulations, and enjoy wedding planning! No matter how the big day turns out, a lifetime of happiness with your new spouse is right around the corner. Good luck!

How Better Health Can Boost Productivity

You already know that your physical and mental health are important, but did you know they can also influence your productivity? Your health will impact your subjective quality of life, and possibly affect your lifespan—most people know this already—but it can also affect how you work and function on a day-to-day basis.

Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help you stay healthy and productive.

How Employers Can Support Better Health

If you’re an employer reading this article, you’ll want to improve the health of your employees in any way you can. Not only will this keep your employees feeling happier, more satisfied, and more secure, but it will also make them more productive.

These are just a few key strategies:

  • Provide health benefits. If your business can afford it, provide some kind of health benefits to employees. That could mean offering employees a robust health insurance policy, or it could mean something simpler, like subsidizing gym memberships.
  • Invest in workers’ compensation insurance. In many areas, workers’ compensation insurance is legally required. But even if it isn’t, your business should have workers’ compensation insurance in place. This will protect employees if they’re ever injured on the job.
  • Be proactive in prioritizing employee health. It’s also important to maintain employee health as a top priority, and be proactive in responding to employee health matters. For example, if you see someone sick, send them home to recover.

The Benefits of Health for Productivity

Better health can influence your productivity in many different ways:

  • Fewer sick days. Americans take an average of 4.4 sick days each year, with some outliers taking weeks of sick leave. That may not seem like a lot, but repeated sick days can sharply reduce the productivity of your team. If your employees are healthier, they’ll take fewer sick days, and you’ll have a greater percentage of employees at work at any given time.
  • Better physical capabilities. Healthy employees are more physically capable, which is especially important in jobs that involve manual labor. They’ll be able to lift more, stay on their feet longer, and accomplish more tasks throughout the day.
  • Feelings of wellness and energy. If you’ve ever felt the subjective differences between being sick and being healthy, you know that being healthy can grant you feelings of overall wellness and energy. Workers who feel more energized and better about themselves will naturally be inclined to do better work.
  • Confidence and optimism. Being healthier, especially on a physical level, can make a person feel more confident in themselves, and feel more optimistic about life in general. This allows them to bring a good attitude to the workplace, and take pride in what they’re doing.
  • Happiness and life satisfaction. It should be no surprise to learn that healthy people tend to be happier and more satisfied with life. When employees are in a better place, physically and mentally, they’ll carry that happiness into all areas of their life. That means they’ll feel better about their job and status, they’ll have better relationships, and of course, they’ll be able to perform better too.
  • Communal benefits. Of course, there are also communal benefits to enjoy from healthier employees. Fewer sick people at work means the illness will be less likely to spread to other people. And people practicing good habits, like eating healthy and exercising at lunch, can be contagious.

Easy Ways to Improve Health

If you’re interested in improving health directly, whether it’s your own health or the health of your employees, these are the most important steps:

  • Make better eating choices. Much of our health is derived from the types and quantities of food we eat. For many of us, eating smaller portions is an ideal way to stave off obesity and the health complications related to it. Otherwise, try to eat more fruits and vegetables, and stay away from sugary and processed foods.
  • Exercise daily. Physical exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It can help you stay in good physical shape, lower your susceptibility to a host of illnesses, and help you feel better mentally as well. Try to exercise on a daily basis.
  • Practice preventative care. Finally, invest in preventative care. Using ergonomic furniture, occasionally visiting your primary care physician, and taking action on health problems early can all reduce your vulnerabilities to health issues.

Better health is strongly correlated with higher productivity, and it’s easy to see why. When employees are healthier, both in body and in mind, they’re able to focus on their work and do a better job. Keep health as a top priority, whether you’re managing a team of workers or are just trying to do your best work in your own position.

Top 5 Reasons Aluminum is a Great Recyclable Material

Recycling is a complicated process and can cause confusion for many eco-minded people who just want to do their best. One thing you can be sure of is the power of recycling aluminum. Those cans in your recycling bin are made from a powerfully eco-friendly material if recycled. Here are the top 5 reasons why aluminum is a great recyclable material.

Continuous Recycling

Of all the aluminum ever produced, 75 percent of it is still in use today. That is because recycling aluminum is 100 percent recyclable and it can be completely repurposed. 

The Most Valuable Thing in Your Recycling Bin

Aluminum is by far the most valuable of recyclable materials. In one year, over $800 million dollars is spent on recycled aluminum by the aluminum industry. Other materials, such as glass and plastic, are much less valuable because they are less efficient to recycle.

100 Percent Recyclable

As a material, aluminum is 100 percent recyclable. That means that it can be completely reclaimed and repurposed during the recycling process. This is much more efficient than glass or plastic recycling.

Three Times Better Than the Alternatives

Did you know you can get aluminum canned water? One of these is made of about 70 percent recycled material, which is three times more than the average plastic water bottle or glass water bottle.

Fast Turn Around

An aluminum beverage can packaging Los Angeles CA center can recycle cans and return them to a store shelf in as little as 60 days. The recycling process is clean, quick and efficient, so there is little downtime between you recycling your cans and being used again. This means less new aluminum needs to be created.

Recycling aluminum is easy, sustainable and efficient, so make sure you are recycling all your aluminum cans and other aluminum products.

3 Ways to Eat Healthier While Dining Out

If you’re trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy diet or simply care for your body, dining out can certainly derail even the best of intentions. Most restaurants are full of unhealthy choices that can make it feel impossible to stick to your goals. However, if you plan ahead and choose wisely, you can enjoy a great meal out without sacrificing nutrition, wellness and self-care.

Search for Restaurants With Organic Options

When choosing a place to eat out, look for locations that offer organic food St Louis MO. Choosing items that are naturally sourced and made with wholesome ingredients can help you feel good about what you’re ordering. Restaurants that provide this type of option are also more likely to feature healthy dishes that are still crafted to be flavorful and enticing.

Keep Portion Control in Mind

A fresh green salad or grilled lean protein is an excellent choice for your body. Still, even healthy options can sabotage your fitness goals when the portions are out of control, especially if those items are accented with tasty dressings, sauces or toppings. Too much of a good thing isn’t actually good, so order smaller sizes or set aside part of your meal to take home for later.

Maintain a Healthy Balance Between Fitness and Fun

Dining out should be about the overall experience. Remember that it’s OK to splurge every so often and enjoy a good burger or a tasty dessert. If you are going to indulge in some options that aren’t necessarily the healthiest choice, try to balance them out by sticking with water or swapping a starchy side for a salad or veggies. Finally, eating out shouldn’t become a frequent habit if you’re trying to prioritize your health and your budget.

When you’re trying to stick to your health and nutrition goals, you can still savor a meal out with family and friends. Plan ahead and make smarter choices so you can feel good about your order and enjoy your meal out.

Top Perks of Incorporating Yoga into Your Fitness Routine

Yoga is a popular workout routine that offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits through flexibility, exercise, and meditation. Although many people think that engaging in yoga is as easy as following a YouTube tutorial or a yogi in a classroom, yoga skills must be mastered over time.

The good thing is that fitness enthusiasts can incorporate yoga into their fitness regimen and gain skills gradually. This comes with a plethora of perks when incorporated well. Both ordinary fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes can benefit from this arrangement. Here are some advantages of incorporating yoga in your workout routine.

Gain More Strength

Yoga is great for gaining strength when the right exercises are incorporated. According to fitness enthusiasts, yoga is an additional way to engage in body workouts. Having a 30-minute yoga session by the end of your training will work out all body muscles in a way you have never experienced before.

It engages the core muscles in an excellent way. The secret is in being consistent and prolonging the duration of the workout to feel the impact. Core strength is what improves your posture and balance, which is necessary for the success of other workouts such as weightlifting and gym equipment workouts.

Bodybuilders who use steroids from MR Pharmaceutical and incorporate yoga in their workout routines at the same time usually enjoy better fitness results.

Burn More Fat

Yoga is a great cardio exercise when enough time is allocated. It might not match jogging, running, or cycling, but it burns fat in the body and optimizes the heart rate. Better still, yoga workouts increase your metabolism just like any other workout would and aid in the burning of calories and body fat. Therefore, you should incorporate it every day and make sure that you do not reduce your other workouts.

Get Better Flexibility

Yoga is an amazing way to increase flexibility in your fitness regimen. The majority of yoga workouts involve stretching, which makes your joints function better. Some even involve stretching, curling, coiling, and any other movements and then holding in position.

Over time, yoga makes stiff and tight muscles and joints more flexible. This is what many athletes need to become better in training and engaging in their actual sports. Yoga is responsible for preventing injuries caused by stiff muscles and joints in those athletes that practice it.

Stress Relief and Relaxation

Yoga involves a lot of meditation, which is good for psychological health. All you need is to make sure that you have a meditation session in your fitness schedule if yoga is included. If your nervous system has been overstretched by an extreme workout, wrapping up with a yoga session and some meditation will cool your body down very well. It is time to reflect on what you have done so far and what you really want to achieve.

Conclusion

See, yoga has numerous perks that you can experience when you incorporate it into your fitness routine. In itself, it is a form of exercise with the additional benefit of meditation. Continue using different yoga moves and styles to avoid monotony and boredom.